I planned a trip to Southern Illinois but my son refused to go there citing the prevalence of poisonous snakes in that area. Therefore, I canceled that trip. At last moment, we (my younger one and me) decided to go on a road trip from Chicago to New York.We stopped at multiple places and finally reached Buffalo.
One evening we decided to take a one-mile-long trail going down to a gorge and coming up again. It was evening time and the descent was 175 feet.
My phone had a low battery so I turned off my Internet and wi-fi services and turned on the battery saving and airplane mode.
I left my hiking poles, whistle, bug spray, water bottle, and backpack in the car, as it was a short trail and very early evening.After covering 0.1 miles or so, we saw many bugs. My son is very sensitive and avoids areas with insects and flies. He asked to go back to avoid bugs and I agreed. Instructed him to wait in the visitor center and I continued. It was a nice curvy trail, going up and down multiple times. There were lots of plants on both sides of the trail and a mountain on one side and river on the other. I was enjoying the ambience and serenity. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise of something falling. I turned back and saw some plant twigs and small rocks falling from the mountain and there was a snake a few inches away from me. Looked like, it also fell from some height. I do not know how many of my coronary arteries constricted and not sure how a lot of composure came in me. I turned and started walking ahead. There was no one around. I kept walking, did not look back. It was a mile-long trail but seemed non-ending. It kept going up and down. It did not take me long to realize that I was lost. No signs were visible and I had no map. After two hours, I saw a firefighter and his eight to ten year-old-son. I told him about the snake. He stated that there are beavers, deers, snakes, poisonous insects, etc. on that trail. They were regular hikers. They said that snakes do not do anything if we leave them alone, exactly what I did. I joined them and we talked about trail surviving tips. Then, I walked back to the visitor center but this time via the main road. There my son was waiting restlessly. He called and texted me multiple times and then informed his elder brother and father. My phone was in airplane mode so I did not get anyone’s call. I survived. Now, I am at home, watching TV and weather channel is showing the story of a 19yr old who went on a 3.5- mile trail in Australia, got lost and was not able to figure out which direction to go to. In frigid cold weather, he kept trying unsuccessfully and was finally rescued on 14th day. Lesson learned. No matter how short the trail is, be prepared and remember the following:
- Do not turn off internet service when going on a trail.
- Charge your phone fully before embarking on any trail.
- Always take, hiking pole with you
- Take a loud whistle with you
- Bug spray is helpful
- Try to go in a group.
- Read the outdoor survival guide before undertaking these activities.
- Wear full sleeves and full-length clothes.
- Wear shoes, not flip flops or sandals.
- Take water bottle and food.
- Find out what to expect on that specific trail ( types of plants, insects, animals)
- Carry a backpack with lifesaving supplies.
- Always inform someone that you are going on a trail. Give them the name of the trail and expected time to return.
Dr. Bharti Raizada